Michael Kleinschmidt

Dear Friends,

For centuries, the Church has sustained the practice of fine arts and crafts, just as fine arts and crafts have for centuries helped to sustain the Church. Saint Mark’s is a global convergence point among churches that possess a spacious acoustical environment and a heritage of precious expertise that is constantly being made new: the practices of singing Compline, training children to lead liturgical music-making, and building exquisite pipe organs.

This is why organ builder Paul Fritts has invited Saint Mark’s to receive the gift of a new instrument built in late-Renaissance style. Paul is in the vanguard of pipe organ craftspeople worldwide. The Renaissance-style organ will contribute to the worship life of Saint Mark’s Cathedral, alongside the famous Flentrop organ, for decades to come.

Secondly, to endow the position of Canon for Cathedral Music is to ensure the continuation of Saint Mark’s musical ministries, no matter what the future holds. This would be part of this generation’s lasting legacy for those who come after us in this place.

 

 

 

Michael Kleinschmidt
Canon for Cathedral Music